Playing for his fifth team in eight seasons in the NFL, Sam Darnold has been around a lot of different offenses and numerous receivers during his career, and for all the talented pass-catchers he has been around, Darnold has never seen someone quite like Cooper Kupp in one regard.
Kupp, another veteran who is new to the Seahawks, has made it part of his weekly routine to spend time in quarterback meetings to better understand what Darnold and company are hoping to get done in the passing game.
Asked if he's been around a non-quarterback who spent that much time with quarterbacks, Darnold answered, "No, I haven't. He's always in the QB room. Very early in the morning, very late as well. He just loves football and that's what you want out of everybody on the team."
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has also been impressed with the way Kupp approaches the game, "He's one of the best teammates I've ever been around. He's a leader, and it's no BS, like Sam said, he's in there as long as the QBs are. He's got great questions, he's always pushing our offense forward and pushing the coaches as well."
Kupp takes advantage of the players' day off on Tuesday to spend time with his family, but on Wednesday he is at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center by 5 a.m. or shortly thereafter to make sure he is up to speed with his quarterbacks as the practice week begins.
"It's been part of how I think my mind works," Kupp said of those meetings with the quarterbacks, "I want to know what the quarterback's thinking. I want to know the details behind what we're trying to get done and the intent behind the plays. No one knows that better than the quarterbacks. So, I will just be sitting there, soaking up as much information as I can. There is always a learning curve to it, so you don't want to slow yourself down with too much information. But being able to internalize the things that are helpful and letting it go in one ear and out the other are the things that might just slow you down. So, I'm really thankful for Janokes (Andrew Janocko) and the QBs for letting me just sit there and being a part of things. For me, it's really helpful to allow me to play how I want to."
After a relatively quiet day in the opener, Kupp was back to looking like the difference maker he was throughout a standout career with the Rams during the Seahawks' Week 2 win in Pittsburgh, gaining 90 yards on seven catches, five of which resulted in first downs, including two third-down conversions. Kupp did a lot of his damage catching short passes in the middle of the field and picking up significant yardage after the catch.
"He just understands coverage so well," Darnold said. "He understands defenses. He understands what we're trying to do as an offense. I think that's the easiest way to say it, he's just very knowledgeable about defenses and certain leverages that guys are in and where the voids are in the zones."
Of course, no matter how close Kupp is with his quarterback or how well he understands defenses, the cerebral side of the game only goes so far, and Kupp's game in Pittsburgh, which looked like so many others in his impressive career, also showcased his athletic talents and toughness to make plays in traffic.
"I really do think he's an elite athlete," Kubiak said. "Elite ball skills. People talk about how smart he is, and that's great, but this guy can play the game. He is athletic, he can make every catch, and he has been a fantastic leader not only for the receiver room but for the whole offense and the team… He's seen a lot of football, he's been really well coached, and he's got input that helps us every week."
While Kupp's numbers made a big jump from Week 1 to Week 2, to his coaches and teammates, last weekend's big performance was just a continuation of what Kupp has been doing since he arrived in Seattle as a free agent. Kupp also understands that the work he puts in throughout each week show, to himself and to his team, as much as what happens on gameday.
"I think a lot of it's just the process that I have for myself," Kupp said. "The cameras are on for three hours of the week. But I spend much more than that playing this game and preparing to play this game. I have a better idea than you do, and so I believe in who I am. I just have a belief in myself. Similar to what Sam (Darnold) said, if I'm not having fun playing this game, I'm not going to play this game anymore. And I'm enjoying playing this game. I'm enjoying coming in every day and going through my process, and I'm just going to keep rolling with it.
"I'm not out here trying to prove anyone wrong. I love the game. I'm motivated to play this game because I love doing it. I love playing alongside the guys that sit in these chairs that you guys are sitting in right now and preparing to go out there and accomplish a goal. Moving forward with 70 guys all slated for the same mission, and I love that. I love the accountability of it. I love playing for the guy next to me, knowing that he's doing the same thing for me. It makes it a very special thing. There's not a whole lot of things in this world that you get to be a part of that camaraderie, and I don't take that lightly. I'm doing it because I love it."
The Seahawks hit the field for a practice on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic as they get ready for Sunday's matchup vs. the Saints.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) and wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) ipracticed on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Damien Martinez (22) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
